PR84852

HOUSTON, July 22, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

  -- FibroGenesis Advances Preclinical Data in Preparation for FDA

     Investigational New Drug Submission

FibroGenesis announced today new data supporting use of its PneumoBlast(TM)

product in the battle against COVID-19. Using the widely accepted bleomycin

model of lung scarring (fibrosis), Company scientists have demonstrated the

administration and use of PneumoBlast(TM) induced a 51% reduction of lung

fibrosis, which was statistically significant (p < .005).  Importantly, when

PneumoBlast(TM) was compared head to head with bone marrow derived mesenchymal

stem cells (BMSCs) for COVID-19, PneumoBlast(TM) was 221% more effective.  In

producing the potent anti-inflammatory protein interleukin 1 receptor

antagonist, which is believed to be the mechanism of scar tissue prevention by

BMSC therapies currently in development, PneumoBlast(TM) was 192% more

effective than BMSCs which was again, statistically significant (p < .005).

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During an interview with Healthline.com, Dr. Lori Shah, transplant

pulmonologist at New York-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical

Center, stated "Holes in the lungs likely refers to an entity that has been

dubbed 'post-COVID fibrosis,' otherwise known as post-ARDS [acute respiratory

distress syndrome] fibrosis, which is irreversible and can result in severe

functional limitations from patients, such as cough, shortness of breath, and

need for oxygen." It has been reported that pulmonary fibrosis due to COVID-19

is occurring in increasing numbers of patients in their 20s and 30s.

"COVID-19 represents a new clinical entity which not only causes death through

lung inflammation, but in some patients causes permanent lung injury through

stimulation of scarring," said Tom Ichim, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of

FibroGenesis. "The prospects that our cell therapy approach not only possesses

therapeutic effects on animal models of the acute stage of COVID-19, but also

benefits the long-term pathology, has our research team extremely excited."

"As the scientific and medical community is discovering more about the

biological and medical consequences of the COVID-19 infection, FibroGenesis is

eager to contribute to the therapeutic cure options currently being created to

fight this global war against an invisible enemy," commented Pete O'Heeron,

President/CEO of FibroGenesis. "While we are excited about potential vaccines

in the pipeline, the fact remains that there are 3.8 million confirmed cases of

COVID-19 in the U.S. and we do not know what the long-term outcomes for these

patients will be.  To our knowledge, we are the only cell therapy company which

is creating a therapy to resolve the initial pathology of infection and also

proactively tackling its long-term consequences."

About FibroGenesis

Based in Houston, Texas, FibroGenesis, is a regenerative medicine company

developing an innovative solution for chronic disease treatment using human

dermal fibroblasts. Currently, FibroGenesis holds 235+ U.S. and international

issued patents/patents pending across a variety of clinical pathways, including

Disc Degeneration, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's, Chronic Traumatic

Encephalopathy, Cancer, Diabetes, Liver Failure, Colitis and Heart Failure.

Funded entirely by angel investors, FibroGenesis represents the next generation

of medical advancement in cell therapy.

Visit www.Fibro-Genesis.com.

SOURCE: FibroGenesis

CONTACT: Pete O'Heeron, CEO, Pete.OHeeron@Fibro-Genesis.com